Preventing adherence of an exudate on a toilet bowl surface

ABSTRACT

A method for preventing adherence of an exudate on a toilet bowl surface, the method including applying an anti-adherent agent on a surface of a toilet bowl, the anti-adherent agent being adapted to generally prevent an exudate from remaining on a toilet bowl surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to methods formaintaining toilet bowls clean, and in particular to apparatus andmethods for preventing adherence of exudates on toilet bowl surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One well-recognized source of germs in modern households is thetoilet. Consumers spend considerable time and money in cleaning andsanitizing toilets. Not only is this difficult task unpleasant for manypeople, it also does not protect against proliferation of germs betweencleanings.

[0003] One alternative to continual cleaning of the toilet is the use ofin-tank articles that dispense a sanitizing agent into the toilet tank.These articles employ a chemical or combination of chemicals thatrelease a sanitizing agent when in contact with water. These articleshave the advantage of providing continuous cleaning and sanitizing ofthe toilet, at least while the sanitizing agent remains in the tank.

[0004] There are numerous compositions known in the art which can becompressed or tableted, providing a tablet, block or similar articlewhich may be placed in the tank of a toilet and dispense cleaning activeover a period of time.

[0005] Despite the large amount of products available for cleaningtoilet bowls, a problem still exists in maintaining the surface of thetoilet bowl clean. Fecal matter and other exudates often adhere or clingto the surface of the bowl after flushing, even with the use of in-tanktoilet cleaners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide novel apparatus andmethods for preventing adherence of exudates on toilet bowl surfaces. Inthe present invention, an anti-adherent agent, such as a lubricant orsurfactant, may be dispensed on the surface of the toilet bowl prior to,during or even after depositing exudates in the toilet bowl. Theanti-adherent agent generally prevents fecal matter and other exudatesfrom remaining on the bowl surface after flushing. The exudates may bewashed away from the bowl surface with the flushing water, leavingsubstantially no residue. After each flush, the anti-adhering agent maybe dispensed once again on the bowl surface.

[0007] There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention a method for preventing adherence of an exudateon a toilet bowl surface, the method including applying an anti-adherentagent on a surface of a toilet bowl, the anti-adherent agent beingadapted to generally prevent an exudate from remaining on a toilet bowlsurface. The anti-adherent agent may be applied prior to, during orafter depositing an exudate in the bowl. The anti-adherent agentgenerally prevents the exudate from remaining on the surface of the bowlafter flushing. The anti-adherent agent may be reapplied on the surfaceafter the flushing.

[0008] There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention an article for preventing adherence of anexudate on a toilet bowl surface including an anti-adherent agentapplied on a surface of a toilet bowl, the anti-adherent agent adaptedto generally prevent an exudate from remaining on a toilet bowl surface.

[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the anti-adherent agent includes at least one of a hydrophobicsubstance, lubricant, a cleaning agent, a bleach, a surfactant, and adisinfectant.

[0010] Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the anti-adherent agent includes at least one of a tablet anda block placeable in the bowl.

[0011] Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention the anti-adherent agent includes a drop-in productplaceable in a flushing liquid in the bowl.

[0012] Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a dispensing device is provided for dispensing theanti-adherent agent on to the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention will be understood and appreciated morefully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction withthe appended drawing in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of an article andmethod for preventing adherence of an exudate on a toilet bowl surface,in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0015] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates an article forpreventing adherence of an exudate on a toilet bowl surface, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The article may comprise an anti-adherent agent 10 applied on asurface 12 of a toilet bowl 14. (A toilet seat is not shown forclarity.) The anti-adherent agent 10 may generally prevent an exudatefrom remaining on the toilet bowl surface 12. The anti-adherent agent 10may comprise, without limitation, a lubricant (e.g., a mineral oil, babyoil, vegetable or fruit oil, for example), a cleaning agent, a bleach,hydrophobic substance, a surfactant (e.g., a detergent, a soap or adishwashing liquid, for example), or a disinfectant, or any combinationthereof.

[0017] The anti-adherent agent may comprise, without limitation, atablet or block 16 placeable in toilet bowl 14. Additionally oralternatively, the anti-adherent agent may comprise, without limitation,a drop-in product 18 placeable in a flushing liquid in toilet bowl 14.

[0018] The anti-adherent agent may be applied prior to depositing anexudate in the toilet bowl 14. In such a case, the anti-adherent agentmay pre-coat the surface 12 so as to prevent exudates from adheringthereto. Alternatively, the anti-adherent agent may be applied during orafter depositing an exudate in the toilet bowl 14. In such a case, theanti-adherent agent may break down the adherence of exudates on surface12 so that the exudates may be flushed away without leaving residualmatter or marks.

[0019] A dispensing device 20 may be provided for dispensing theanti-adherent agent 10 on to the surface 12 of toilet bowl 14. Forexample, a ring-shaped dispensing device 20 may be placed around atleast a portion of the bowl 14, such as inside and beneath the lip ofbowl 14. Dispensing device 20 includes therein the anti-adherent agent10, and may dispense the anti-adherent agent 10 manually orautomatically. For example, the weight of a person (not shown) sittingon bowl 14 may trigger dispensing of anti-adherent agent 10 fromdispensing device 20. As another example, dispensing device 20 may metera portion of anti-adherent agent 10 at predetermined intervals. As yetanother example, dispensing device 20 may comprise any kind of spray 22that sprays anti-adherent agent 10 on surface 12.

[0020] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that thepresent invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present inventionincludes both combinations and subcombinations of the features describedhereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which wouldoccur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription and which are not in the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for preventing adherence of an exudateon a toilet bowl surface, the method comprising: applying ananti-adherent agent on a surface of a toilet bowl, said anti-adherentagent being adapted to generally prevent an exudate from remaining on atoilet bowl surface.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidanti-adherent agent is applied prior to depositing an exudate in saidbowl.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said anti-adherentagent is applied during depositing an exudate in said bowl.
 4. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said anti-adherent agent is appliedafter depositing an exudate in said bowl.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising flushing said exudate from said bowl with aflushing liquid, wherein said anti-adherent agent generally preventssaid exudate from remaining on said surface of said bowl after flushing.6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising re-applying saidanti-adherent agent on said surface after said flushing.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, applying said anti-adherent agent comprisesapplying at least one of a hydrophobic substance, a lubricant, acleaning agent, a bleach, a surfactant, and a disinfectant.
 8. Anarticle for preventing adherence of an exudate on a toilet bowl surfacecomprising: an anti-adherent agent applied on a surface of a toiletbowl, said anti-adherent agent adapted to generally prevent an exudatefrom remaining on a toilet bowl surface.
 9. The article according toclaim 8, wherein said anti-adherent agent comprises at least one of ahydrophobic substance, a lubricant, a cleaning agent, a bleach, asurfactant, and a disinfectant.
 10. The article according to claim 8,wherein said anti-adherent agent comprises at least one of a tablet anda block placeable in said bowl.
 11. The article according to claim 8,wherein said anti-adherent agent comprises a drop-in product adapted tobe placed in a flushing liquid in said bowl.
 12. The article accordingto claim 8, further comprising a dispensing device for dispensing saidanti-adherent agent on to said surface.